Shalom,

Today we read 1 Corinthians 13 in our Spoken Word Bible Reading Plan. This is the LOVE chapter! Our partner, Rick Renner, who is a Greek scholar, has written a very powerful expanded version of these verses (4-8) that is very sound and instructional! I want to share that here! 

The following is an expanded interpretive translation of First Corinthians 13:4-8

“Love patiently and passionately bears with others for as long as patience is needed;

Love doesn’t demand others to be like itself; rather, it is so focused on the needs of others that it bends over backwards to become what others need it to be;

Love is not ambitious, self-centered, or so consumed with itself that it never thinks of the needs or desires that others possess;

Love doesn’t go around talking about itself all the time, constantly exaggerating and embellishing the facts to make it look more important in the sight of others;

Love does not behave in a prideful, arrogant, haughty, superior, snooty, snobbish, or clannish manner;

Love is not rude and discourteous–it is not careless or thoughtless, nor does it carry on in a fashion that would be considered insensitive to others;

Love does not manipulate situations or scheme and devise methods that will twist situations to its own advantage;

Love does not deliberately engage in actions or speak words that are so sharp, they cause an ugly or violent response;

Love does not deliberately keep records of wrongs or past mistakes;

Love does not feel overjoyed when it sees an injustice done to someone else but is elated, thrilled, ecstatic, and overjoyed with the truth;

Love protects, shields, guards, covers, conceals, and safeguards people from exposure;

Love strains forward with all its might to believe the very best in every situation;

Love always expects and anticipates the best in others and the best for others;

Love never quits, never surrenders, and never gives up;

Love never disappoints, never fails, and never lets anyone down.”

AMEN! THIS makes it very clear that none of us walk in LOVE as much as we should or even believe that we do! Let's make it our goal to walk more in LOVE, like JESUS, every day! The results will be stunning and powerful! Remember "LOVE NEVER FAILS"! Here are Hillsong Kids with "Talkin' About Love":

Shalom in Him!